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I've just been signed by the Portland Traiblazers. Expected to lead the team into the playoffs, I am not quite sure if I can take this 33 win team and reverse the win-loss column. But I am determined to do it.

The last of the team's offseason decisions, I am content with the roster assembled. Lillard, Batum and Aldridge are my offensive minded starters, while Wes Mathews and RoLo will be able to hold down the ship. We don't have a great bench, but I think that, if everyone stays healthy, we should be able to do fine.

Game 1: vs Timberwolves (0-0)

Outplayed in the first half, we rally in the third quarter and pull out a statement 103-84 win. Batum led the way with a 12 pts, 13 ast, 6 reb, 6 stl effort, while Lillard didn't slack off with 25 points. Freeland made an impact off the bench with 12 points, 2 steals, and a block.

Record: 1-0

Game 2: at Suns (1-0)

After rushing out of the gates to control the game, we let our lead slip away in the third. Once the forth quarter rolled around, however, the players were determined, pulling out a 98-91 victory on the road. Lopez had the biggest impact with 20 points, 17 boards and, 3 blocks. Aldridge had 20 and 9 as well.

Record: 2-0

Game 3: vs Thunder (1-1)

The game was close to the end, though Damian Lillard had an awesome outing, 23 point, 4 dimes, eight steals, and a block, the the Thunder showed up in the final moments, taking a 91-90 victory at the Moda Centre.

Record: 2-1

Game 4: at Raptors (0-3)

The team had a great time in TDot, they scored 42 in the second quarter, and rode to an easy 98-85 victory on the back of LaMarcus Aldridge, with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and a lot of defense (4 blocks, 3 steals). Batum had a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists, while RoLo's 15 boards still didn't earn him one, as he only scored 8 points.

Record: 3-1

Game 5: vs Kings (0-4)

LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points and 15 boards, and was a regular stat-sheet stuffer with 3 blocks, 3 steals and 2 dimes in the 105-87 win on the second night of a back-to-back against the Kings, back home in the Moda Centre.

Record: 4-1

Game 6: at Clippers (5-0)

The Staples Centre Twins are the leaders of the Conference, so it'll a tough match against an undefeated Clippers team that has recently added Bogut for a transfer fee of $5.6 million. The game itself was a close, gritty affair, ending with a 2nd half rally from 6 behind to finish with a 1 point lead 85-84. It was Mo Williams, who with 12 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals who earned the player of the game awards.

Record: 5-1

Game 7: vs Bobcats (0-7)

Riding a lead the whole game, the team game the home crowd a performance to cheer for against the woeful Bobcats, as the big men had a big game, with LA scoring 21, and pulling down 9, while Lopez had 15, 10, steals, blocks, and assists. He also drew 7 fouls. The final score was 99-87.

Result: 6-1

Game 8: vs Magic (3-4)

Outscoring the Magic in every quarter, today's double-double club includes Robin Lopez with 21 points, 15 boards, and Batum, with 11 points, and an impressive 17 assists. Lillard also poured in 23 points in 29 minutes during the 106-84 rout of Orlando.

Record: 7-1

Contract Update: Robin Lopez, currently on a $9.2 million contract has extended at 9.3 million for 2 years. Lillard, on an expiring 9.7 million deal has extended for a 2 year 9.8 million deal.

Game 9: vs Hawks (3-6)

We win 96-89, riding 21 points from Lillard, and the playmaking skills of Batum, who dished out 16, even though he only scored 8, all from free throws. Batum also corralled 9 boards and rejected 2 shots.

Game 10: vs Wizards (0-9)

Lopez went crazy tonight scoring 26 on 13/18 shooting. His ten boards and 5 blocks were also instrumental in our 98-86 win. Batum and Aldridge joined in on the double-double fun, and Batum two boards away from a trip-dub.

League Leaders:

Points: James Harden, Rockets: 22.13

Rebounds: Robin Lopez, Trail Blazers: 11.6

Assists: Nicolas Batum, Trail Blazers: 13.7

Steals: James Harden, Rockets, 3.6

Blocks: Marc Gasol, Grizzles: 3.6

Standings:

East:

Chicago Bulls: 8-1

Miami Heat: 7-1

Detroit Pistons: 7-2

Indiana Pacers: 6-2

Brooklyn Nets: 6-3

Cleveland Cavaliers: 6-4

New York Knicks: 6-4

Boston Celtics: 6-4

West:

Portland Trail Blazers: 9-1

Los Angeles Lakers: 7-2

Houston Rockets: 6-2

Golden State Warriors: 6-2

Los Angeles Clippers: 7-3

Memphis Grizzles: 5-3

Minnesota Timberwolves: 5-4

San Antonio Spurs: 4-4

Notables:

Brandon Roy has come out retirement, and helped a Boston team that everyone thought was tanking to a playoff birth, scoring 21.7 points per game, which leads the east.

Thanks for reading, please leave comments, predictions, questions, outbursts of indignation of James Harden's ability to play defense in this game, etc.

Bonus Game, Game 11: at Thunder () Thunder wins 98-95

The Fact: When Durant scores 30, you know you are in for a bad night.

The Stat: OKC out rebounded Portland 44-17

Quotable: "Guys, don't think of that as a buzzer beater. KD had ten seconds to do something, and he hit a shot. The most efficient scorer in the league is going to hit a shot, don't let it get in your head." - Abraham Van Helsing, before the third quarter started.

Turning Point:Despite being down 16 just before the end of the first half Kevin Durant scored a buzzer beating shot from deep two point range, sparking a third-quarter run which gave them a lead that they never lost throughout the rest of the game.

Hot: Russell Westbrook was perfect from the field, scoring 13 points on 4/4 shooting, including 1 three pointer. He also made all four of his free throws.

Not: Reggie Jackson, played nineteen minutes. All he had to show for them was two points, a few assists, and a rebound. He shot 1/8 missing his only three-point attempt.

Good Move: Portland put a lot of pressure on Durant, forcing him to shoot 12 for 24, with him making fewer than half of his 2-point shots. While this might not seem like much, but he is shooting 60% behind the arc, and better than 50% inside. They also avoided fouling him, he only had two free throw attempts, though he made them both.

Bad Move: I know that there were good reasons for Aldridge to have been removed from the game, but if he were there, they surely wouldn't have been so badly out-rebounded, and probably could have won the game.

Nightly Notable: Damian Lillard scored 25 on 7 for 14 shooting, including 5 for 11 from deep. He also made 2 steals.

My projects:

Saving the Sonics - NBA basketball Dynasty (Fantasy Players)

Football World 2013 - Data editing a new world for fantasy soccer simulations